PANJIM: Reiterating that the State government will not approach the Supreme Court with a review petition on the ban on alcohol sale along highways, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Tuesday explored the possibility of de-notifying the old State highways and relocation of outlets falling within the ambit of Apex Court order – granting protection to most of the liquor outlets located within 500 meters of the highways.
He however hastened to add that the government was behind the traders and would support them fully. Liquor ytarders however aren’t in the mood to accept this, making it amply clear that there is no time for the liquor traders and bar owners to move court and expect a favourable hearing and decision in 30 days before the deadline for implementing the SC order ends. It expects the state to use its strength to intervene judicially. (See accompanying story)
The government has also opined that bars and restaurants operating within 500 meters of the National and State highways do not come under the Supreme Court verdict and hence may not face the axe. Tere is no final legal settlement on this point so far.
Around 1470 such units are expected to be protected.
Speaking to journalists, Parsekar said that it would not be fair on the part of the government to approach the court asking to exclude the State from ban on selling liquor alongside highways. “I would advise the association of liquor vendors who are affected with the order to file a review petition before the Apex Court. They are the stakeholders and the affected party. The State government will provide all the required support to the liquor trade. We can be party to their petition,” Chief Minister added.
Parsekar said the new government, which will be formed after March 11, will have to decide on the issue.
Exploring various possibilities to protect the liquor outlets, the government is contemplating on de-notifying certain old State highways, which have been now replaced with by-passes. “There are some State highways that pass through cities and villages. The same we have now connected with by-pass roads. If these by-pass roads are now considered as State highways, we will have to de-notify those earlier highways passing through cities and villages. This will help in saving all those outlets located within 500 meters of old highways,” Parsekar said.
The Chief Minister said that relocation of outlets affected by the Supreme Court order, is one option before the government. “We are keeping all options ready for the new government to decide upon,” he stated.
Quoting Advocate General Saresh Lotlikar’s oral opinion on the Supreme Court order, Parsekar said the verdict does not apply to the bar and restaurant operators. “State Advocate General has told me verbally that the order does not cover bars and restaurants which serve liquor. This means out of 3,000 outlets which are likely to face a ban, 1,470 will not be affected with the order,” he claimed.
The Apex Court in its order in December had directed State government’s not to renew the liquor license of outlets located within 500 meters of highways from March 31.
Meanwhile, State Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said the liquor vendors’ association should petition the Court, which will receive full backing from the government. “The association of liquor vendors should file the petition before the SC. The State government is with them. We can file an affidavit in the SC supporting the association,” Parulekar said.
He added, “The best of lawyers should be employed by the association to convince the SC that Goa is a small and touristic State. Such an order will severely affect our state.”
